Contents

Understand

Tired of window shopping or eating out like most local teenager do for their weekend away? Give a visit to Setu Babakan on Sunday and watch the passion preserving the cultures of native Jakartans

History

Landscape

Setu Babakan is a village consists of 2 different lakes (lake=setu) with an area of 66 hectares. Located in Srengseng Sawah district of South Jakarta, close to border with Depok. This village is the right place and has been dedicated to preserve Betawi culture from diminishing since 2000

Flora and fauna

Climate

Surrounded by trees beside the lakes, this village is refreshful with temperature from 24' to 26' Celcius.

Get in

It is easy to come from Depok (area near UI railway station, located on the north of Depok, is fairly close) using angkot (minibus) which stops nearby, the price is Rp.2000. However, it's difficult if possible at all to identify place if you've never been there, so ask locals, or, even better, come with someone of them. There are also transportation options from Blok M bus terminal, where you can connect to busway. Alternatively, just take a taxi, from Jakarta center it shouldn't cost more than Rp.50000-75000 by meter depending on what taxi you'll take (Blue Bird, while reliable and very safe, is on more expensive side) and on traffic conditions.

Fees/Permits

Fee is only applicable for parking with Rp2,000 for cars and Rp1,000 for motor bikes.

Get around

See

With lack of advertisement and publishment, yet Setu Babakan has been succesfully encouraged locals to appreciate their native culture. Children learn Betawi traditional music and dances every Wednesday and Sunday from 7 am to 12 pm.

After watching the children's activity, take a break to scrutinize uniquely the architecture of Betawi traditional house and stop for a breathe beside the lake.

Do

Buy

Eat

Despite the purpose of the village, only few local foods available. They are:

Drink

No alcohol is sold in this area. However, they still have "beer" (bir pletok) mentioned above - while non-alcoholic, this red-coloured beverage worth trying, if you can tolerate it's strong ginger taste. Also, bir pletok is a traditional drink for Jakarta and nearby areas (that's why sold here), but you'll hardly find this beverage anywhere else in the city.